Amanda Paige Pritchett, a senior education major at N.C. Wesleyan College, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Taunja Cox Scholarship.

Amanda is majoring in special education and elementary education and wants to begin a career in the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools after she graduates in December.

Paige’s major in special education makes her selection as the Taunja Cox Scholarship recipient especially appropriate. The $500 annual scholarship honors Cox, who was diagnosed with developmental disabilities at 18 months old. Since then, her mother, Glinda Williams of Kinston has advocated that despite her daughter’s disability, Taunja does have abilities that can be developed with the appropriate education, training, and community support.

“Through all of Taunja’s endeavors, she understands the Biblical text ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ Therefore the purpose of this scholarship is to assist a North Carolina Wesleyan College student majoring in special education ...” Williams said in a written statement.

Williams raises funds for the Taunja Cox College Scholarship Foundation through bake sales and other fundraising efforts in her community. The Student North Carolina Association of Educators organization also will support and sustain the scholarship through fund raising efforts next semester.

“Taunja has become a blessed young lady who has overcome many challenges with great emphasis on an abundance of milestones in her life,” Williams said. “Since graduation from high school with a certificate, she has participated in work programs, volunteer work with children at local day cares, head start, and she attends Lenoir Community College’s compensatory education classes. She also volunteers with the elderly at nursing homes along with a host of other volunteer assignments that arise.”

Paige plays softball at Wesleyan and has been recognized twice for the USA South All Conference Academic Team. She is on the President’s Honor List for her high academic achievements, is a member of the national leadership society Omicron Delta Kappa and is the northeastern representative for the Student North Carolina Association of Educators as well as president of the local chapter at Wesleyan. She is a native of Orange County, Va.